part0022

Isabella and Celine were sitting on Miranda’s terrace, enjoying white wine and fresh shrimps from the harbor. Patricia was lying on the living room floor, sketching her next dress.

“Where does she get her ideas from?” Isabella asked.

“No idea,” Celine answered. “I’ve never been especially interested in fashion. And I can’t use a sewing machine.”

“You’re not alone.”

“Mom used to buy magazines that Patricia would look at. She used them as templates and tried to copy the people as best she could. Or she placed parchment paper over and traced them.”

“She must be old beyond her years,” Miranda said. “My children still don’t know how to draw.”

“Where are they tonight?”

“Sofie is at a friend’s, and Noah is with friends in Oslo.”

“He’ll make friends in Solvik once he starts school here in the fall,” Celine said.

“I guess. It’s annoying that all his friends live so far away.”

“And Jasmine is with Hugo?” Isabella looked at them.

“If he has some time to spare. Her belly is growing at the same rate as my concern. Ugh, let’s talk about something else.” Miranda shook off the unpleasant thoughts, and Isabella regretted asking. How inconsiderate of her to bring this up! After everything that had happened between Miranda’s husband and Jasmine, it was understandable that she was trying to focus on the positive. It was the only way to move on.

“I agree. Let’s plan Kitty’s birthday. What would she like to do?”

“Something wild and crazy,” Miranda said jokingly.

They looked at each other and roared with laughter.

“Yes, let’s try to come up with something different this time. What about something she’s never done before? Bungee jumping. Waterskiing. Zip-lining. Windsurfing. Kiting.” Isabella sipped her wine.

“Isn’t that too wild for an eighty-seven-year-old great-grandma?” Miranda wasn’t convinced.

“Maybe, but she likes speed and fun. And she’s fearless.”

“What about go-karting?” Celine suggested.

“Not a bad idea. She hasn’t tried that before. We’ll all get to drive. Your teens will love it,” Isabella said to Miranda.

“And there’s a separate track for the youngest, so Patricia can also try,” Miranda smiled.

Celine agreed. “It has to be a surprise for everyone. It’ll make it more exciting. We’ll ask the family to keep the day free.”

“Let’s do it. Where should we get together to eat afterward? There or here? Or somewhere else?” Miranda poured more shrimps into the glass bowl.

“I was there a few years ago at a bachelorette party. The food was so-so. Pizza, burgers, fries, that kind of stuff,” Isabella said.

Miranda studied her. “When did you get that picky? Could it have something to do with the Flying Fish and its chef?”

Isabella wiped some sweat off her neck. “Could be. But it’s a birthday, so it has to be special. We can eat pizza the rest of the year.”

“Her birthday is on a Sunday, and it’s summer. What if we come back here and eat seafood at the restaurant? Big shellfish platters placed on a long table? Just like we had at the complimentary dinner a few weeks ago.” Celine peeled some shrimps for Patricia, who was immersed in her sketches and had no time for food.

“It was delicious. Does everyone like this idea?” Isabella looked at Miranda, who confirmed it.

“Elvira and Tony can have salads and side dishes.”

“Brilliant. In that case, I can book both the go-kart and the food. It’s no trouble,” said Isabella.

“Let me know if you need help,” Miranda said.

“No need. That’s one of the benefits of being single. I have unlimited time.”

“I can give you a hand as well.” Celine helped herself to bread.

“I need your help with something else.” Isabella knew she had to tell them about the horrible experience the night before. Especially as she needed an extra pair of eyes, in case her ex showed up in Solvik again.

“What do you mean?” Celine watched her, uncomprehending.

“Bob attacked me last night. He waited for me outside my apartment.” She told them the whole story.

“He’s nuts.” Miranda reached for Isabella’s arm, alarmed.

“Not exactly nuts, but he knows how to scare me to death. He’s a manipulative jerk. Unkind words, but it’s true.”

“Would you like to move in with us?” Celine had turned pale.

“That’s a bit drastic. He enjoys seeing me scared, so I won’t give him the pleasure. But if you’ll check the apartment with me and make sure he’s not there, it’ll help. You’re usually home before me in the afternoon.”

“Of course. Just send me a text before you get home. And don’t go upstairs on your own.” Celine gave her a determined look.

“It’s a shame we can’t control the front door. It seems everyone has a key,” Isabella said.

“I’ve been thinking the same. The door is always open, and I’ve never understood why.”

“The problem is that it can be set to stay open. That shouldn’t be possible. The door should latch automatically behind the person who unlocks it. Too bad that’s not the case,” Isabella explained.

“I suspect the tenant on the second floor is careless. And I think he’s absent-minded.”

“I can’t believe Bob signed up for the culinary class,” Miranda said. “He’s trying to make life difficult for you.”

“Revenge is sweet, isn’t that what they say? He hasn’t forgiven me for breaking up with him. I don’t get why it took him so long to find me. It can’t be that hard to find someone, even with a blocked phone number.”

“It might be on purpose. Maybe he was waiting for you to show interest in another man before striking.”

Both sisters knew she cared for Remy, and that her feelings were reciprocated, so there was no point in hiding it. She knew she felt more for him than she had for anyone else. But with his ex-wife and Bob lurking about, it was best to stay friends.

“It’s quite possible. If so, it’s terrifying to think he’s been watching me for months.” Isabella shuddered and knew she should have gone to the police. But she was used to handling things on her own. And what if they didn’t take her seriously?

“Don’t think about it. It’s no use now. You must think ahead instead,” Miranda said, “and keep your eyes open.”

“You’re so sensible.” She started clearing the shrimp shells, collecting them in a trash bag and tying it up. “Thanks for the delicious food and wine.”

“It’s bedtime, Patricia. Can you collect all your drawing stuff?” Celine called.

“Auntie Isabella and Auntie Miranda, look!” Patricia held up a sketch of a purple dress.

“Gorgeous,” Isabella said and stroked the girl’s wild hair.

Miranda swept her niece up in a hug. “Beautiful dress. Soon you can buy the fabric and start sewing.”

“The shop is getting new fabrics next week, in a color you like. You can give your sketches a final touch in the meantime.”

Patricia brightened. They said their goodbyes and started walking home. Miranda lived by the square, and it was a short walk through the center to their house.

“Add me to the favorites on your phone,” Celine suggested. “Then it’s easy to get hold of me.”

“You’re already there. The challenge is to text you if I need you fast.”

“I’ll keep an eye out in case anything happens. Do you have an extra key I can borrow?” Celine took her daughter’s hand.

“Yes, that’s a superb idea. I’ll give it to you when we get home.”

Moments later, they were in the driveway. Once again, the front door had been left open. They locked it and went into Celine’s apartment.

“Patricia, go to the bathroom and put on your jammies. I’m going upstairs with Isabella to fetch something. Back in a jiffy,” Celine said.

“Ok, Mom.” She headed for the bathroom.

Celine grabbed her keys before they left. Isabella could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Her body resisted every step she took. She had absolutely no desire to enter her apartment.

“Too bad you don’t live right below me. Then I could’ve knocked on the floor, and you could’ve come running.” Isabella tried laughing, but it was forced.

“Make sure you have your new phone with you at all times.” Celine sounded almost as nervous as she was.

“I’ll do my best.” They were at her front door. She looked around and relaxed. “No one’s here.”

“Thank goodness.”

She unlocked the door and checked the living room and the other rooms, to be certain she was alone. Celine did the same. Then she picked up the key from the drawer in the closet and gave it to her sister.

“And where is your phone?”

She tapped her back pocket. “Here.”

“Excellent.” Celine hugged her goodnight. “Use it if you need me, no matter what time it is.”

Isabella locked the door behind her and went into the living room. The puzzle was still scattered all over the table and floor, but she didn’t have the energy to sort it out now. It would have to wait until tomorrow.

She made a cup of chamomile tea to calm her nerves and plopped down on the couch. She stayed there for a while watching TV, without paying attention to what was on. Her thoughts were elsewhere.

She felt a great uneasiness being there. It was as if Bob was still inside her apartment. She tried to think rationally. Just because Bob had been there yesterday didn’t mean he would come back. She could always refuse to open the door if he rang the bell. She felt somewhat better and finished her tea.

She went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and then to bed. Lying under the comforter, she was chilled to the bone. Bob had been sitting right here on her bed yesterday, taking off all her clothes. How creepy. In retrospect, at least. They’d been together for three years, so they knew each other intimately. But it was different now that it was over between them, and she’d seen another side of him. A side she loathed, and which she also feared.

It had cost her immense strength to break up with him. She’d spent several months building up the courage to tell him their relationship was no longer working. It had never worked, but of course, she hadn’t said that. It had been hard enough as it was.

She’d foreseen his reaction and had broken up with him in public. They’d finished their meal at a Greek restaurant when she finally managed to utter the words. To be dumped was a new experience for Bob and not something he appreciated. Far from it. She’d declined his offer to drive her home after dinner and insisted on walking, to get some fresh air.

As if. The streets of the capital were full of pollution, and it’d take her an hour to walk through the city. But she didn’t trust Bob. It was impossible to know what he might do when he was upset.

She didn’t want to dwell on this anymore. She’d spent more than enough time on Bob. He belonged to her past, and that was how it was going to stay. She pulled the comforter closer and eventually fell asleep.

Isabella woke up in the middle of the night needing to use the bathroom. She blinked her eyes before she panicked. What on earth! She was staring straight at Bob’s closed eyes. And what was worse, he’d placed his arm around her in a tight grip. His arm and upper body were bare, and he was probably naked below, too.

She stifled a gasp while her pulse raced. Beads of sweat started running down her back, and the bedroom became unbearably hot.

How had Bob gotten into her apartment? And how could she get out of bed and to safety? Because one thing was certain, this was a dangerous place to be. It was impossible to know what Bob was up to.

She was terrified to wake him, so she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Her thoughts went in all directions. What to do now? And where to escape? Her apartment was too high up to jump out the window. Three floors between her and the concrete would result in broken arms and legs, if she survived at all. The only safe place was the bathroom, which had a key. She would be safe there unless Bob knocked down the door.

The other option was to run down to Celine. They were asleep, so she would have to wake her. Patricia had her own bedroom, and she hoped the girl was a heavy sleeper.

She’d thrust her phone under her pillow but had no way of checking if it was still there. To do that, she’d have to turn around, causing Bob to wake up. What she needed was a plan.

Her heart was beating so fast that it was hard to concentrate. But she had to pull herself together. She suddenly remembered that she’d put the security chain on the door before going to bed. Which meant that Bob must have been in her apartment all night! What an awful thought. Where had he hidden?

They’d both looked everywhere. And they hadn’t noticed anything suspicious. Had he hidden inside one of the closets? She’d checked every room but hadn’t thought of looking in them. Or he could have hidden under her bed. She hadn’t searched there, either. Bob was of average height and slender, and he could easily fit underneath.

She thought of all the hiding places she should have remembered last night. Truth be told, she’d only checked the rooms superficially. How could she have been so stupid? And naïve. Bob was smarter than that, and he had tricked her again. She felt incredibly foolish, lying next to him with her heart throbbing wildly.

Focus! She had to get out of there as fast as possible. Since the security chain was on, Celine had no way of getting into the apartment from the outside. So, there was no point in texting her and ask her to come. A text message wouldn’t wake her up, anyway. And she couldn’t call. It would wake Bob faster than anything else.

She tried to breathe calmly, taking deep breaths in and out. She would have felt so much safer if Celine was there. Then Bob never would have dared to do anything. She knew him well enough to know that.

Would she have time to unhinge the security chain and run down to the first floor before Bob caught up with her? She opened her eyes and looked at him. He had such an innocent face. His dark-brown hair was resting on the mattress since he didn’t have a pillow.

They’d had many nice moments together, even if she couldn’t remember the details now. It was easy to dwell on the negative once things started to go downhill. Had it ever gone uphill? In periods, maybe, especially in the beginning. And when he was at his most charming. But that had been a long time ago.

She closed her eyes again and tried to forget. His arm was heavy and held her tight, even in his sleep. How was that possible? Weren’t arms supposed to relax during sleep? Perhaps he was awake. She held her breath for a second. No, he was asleep. She concluded that Bob was unlike anyone else, even in his sleep.

What would be her best move? It was impossible to tell as she didn’t know how he would react. She assumed he would come after her and hold her back. He was way stronger than her, although he didn’t exercise and had arms that Kitty would call jelly fishy. He wouldn’t let her leave the apartment. Or he would take her back to Oslo, to his apartment. It was the middle of the night, and no one would notice them. An elderly gentleman inhabited the apartment between hers and Celine’s, with poorer hearing than sight. She couldn’t count on any help from him.

If she managed to grab her phone, sneak out of bed, rush to the bathroom and turn the key, she would be safe. From the bathroom, she could call Celine and ask her to ring the doorbell until Bob went crazy. Her sister wouldn’t be able to open the front door more than two inches, but they would have to take it from there. It was better than ringing Celine’s doorbell and not get inside before Bob showed up.

She tried to control her breathing, but it escalated just thinking of what she was about to do. Bob was snoring lightly, so maybe there was hope. Thank goodness she was wearing a nightgown. If she’d gone to sleep without it, she might not have had the chance to escape. There would be no time to look for clothes. At least her chances were bigger now.

She sensed sweat tickling at her ear but didn’t dare wipe it off in fear of waking Bob. It was time to take action before it was too late.

She turned around very carefully, an inch at a time, until she was lying on her back. She did her best to breathe deeply and soundlessly. Bob’s arm was on her stomach now. She kept turning quietly until she was facing the bathroom door.

Bob grunted in his sleep, and she froze. What if he woke up? His arm was no longer on top of her, but still on her comforter. She felt a certain relief to be out of his grip but knew it was far from over. It hadn’t even started. Luckily, he still appeared to be sleeping.

The next step would be to sneak her hand under the pillow and gently pull out her phone. She slowly moved her hand up and under the pillow. She hit something hard. She cheered inside over this small victory. With the utmost care, she clutched the phone and silently pulled it to her. The new pink phone was safely between her fingers. She didn’t dare turn her head to check if Bob was still asleep. But his breathing sounded like he was.

Now, on to the hardest part. She had to sneak out of the bed and into the bathroom, without him waking up. Could she do it? Well, she had to. She waited for her pulse to calm down. It was reassuring to have the phone. She was holding it so tight her fingers ached. She would have liked to send Celine a text, but there was no way she would wake up from the small beep. And she was afraid of waking Bob, as the phone made a faint click when she sent messages. She wasn’t willing to take that chance. She must remember to find out how to turn off the sound on the phone. But all in due time. She had enough to worry about now. How tricky it was to escape when lying in bed!

She concluded that if Bob had woken up when she grabbed the phone, he would have caught her and snatched it in a second. That meant it was time for the next step. She had to get to the bathroom so that she could call Celine. Or should she risk it and run out of the apartment, after all?

She was in doubt and contemplated the pros and cons once more. No, it was better to shut herself inside the bathroom than to have Bob at her heels.

She glanced at her phone to see if it was charged. Seventy percent. Isabella carefully lifted her head and leaned her upper body on her elbow. Bob started moving. She came to a halt, her heart jumping in her chest. She could no longer hear his breathing and suspected he was about to wake up. There was no time for this slow tempo any longer. He must not catch her!

She looked over her shoulder and stared straight into his grey-blue eyes, which were far darker than usual. In a sudden movement, she pulled the comforter aside and jumped out of bed. But her foot got caught in the bed linen, and the next moment she hit the floor with a bang.